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Mohamed Noor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mohamed A. F. Noor
Noor in 2019
EducationB.S., Biology
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolution
Alma materCollege of William & Mary
University of Chicago
Known forEvolutionary genetics research
Online course inCoursera
Science outreach
Children2
AwardsDarwin–Wallace Medal
Stephen J. Gould Prize[1]
NCSEFriend of Darwin Award (2021)[2]
Scientific career
FieldsEvolutionary biology
Genetics
Genomics
InstitutionsDuke University
ThesisThe evolution of mating discrimination between Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis(1996)
Doctoral advisorsJerry Coyne
Websitescholars.duke.edu/person/noor

Mohamed Nooris the Executive Vice Provost[3]and a Professor in the Biology Department atDuke University(formerly holding the rotating titles of Earl D. McLean Professor,[4]department chair, dean of natural sciences,[5]Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences[6],and Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs[7]). His specialties includeevolution,geneticsandgenomics.

Noor has a BS from theCollege of William and Maryin 1992 and a PhD fromUniversity of Chicago(1996), together with a postdoctoral residency atCornell University(1996–1998). He specializes inDrosophilaevolution. His team's research approaches have included both classical genetic mapping, as well as analyses of whole genome sequences.[8]

Likewise, Noor was one of the first scientists to demonstrate by experimentspeciation by reinforcement,that is, as a result ofnatural selectionmating preferences diverge against deleterioushybridizationand reduce gene flow between species. He is also known for developing (along with others) a model wherein regions of restricted recombination, as bychromosomal inversions,facilitate the persistence of hybridizing species.[9]

Later, his research team has focused on understanding variation in recombination rate within and between species, and its impact on DNA sequence variation.

In 2008, he was awarded theDarwin-Wallace Medalfrom the Linnean Society of London.[10]

In 2021, he was awarded a Friend of Darwin award by theNational Center for Science Education.[11]

He served as editor-in-chief of the international journalEvolution(2016-2019), is or was associate editor for several other journals, and the author of over 100 publications. He has served as president of theAmerican Genetic Association(2012) andSociety for the Study of Evolution(2014) and as a board member for theGenetics Society of America.

Noor has been active in education and outreach, receiving numerous teaching and mentoring awards from his institution,[12][13]and teaching an online course in genetics and evolution. He and his group have also developed laboratory activities for implementation in high schools and colleges, including a commercial kit for observing natural selection in Drosophila. He published a book that usesStar Trekto teach principles in genetics and evolution,[14]and gives classes and talks at various venues using science fiction to teach science.[15]On the side, he also serves as a science consultant for theStar Trektelevision franchise.[16]

Recent scientific publications

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  1. Korunes, K. L., C. A. Machado, and M. A. F. Noor. 2021. Inversions shape the divergence of Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis on multiple timescales. Evolution, 75: 1820-1834.abs.
  2. Samuk, K., B. Manzano-Winkler, K. R. Ritz, and M. A. F. Noor. 2020. Natural selection shapes variation in genome-wide recombination rate in Drosophila pseudoobscura. Current Biology, 30: 1517-1528.abs.
  3. Korunes, K. L., and M. A. F. Noor. 2017. Gene conversion and linkage: Effects on genome evolution and speciation. Molecular Ecology, 26: 351-364. doi:10.1111/mec.13736.abs
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  • Noor, Mohamed A. F. (2012).You're Hired! Now What? A Guide for New Science Faculty.Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates.ISBN9780878939633.
  • Noor, Mohamed A. F. (2018).Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek Can Teach Us about Evolution, Genetics, and Life on Other Worlds.Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.ISBN9780691177410.

References

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  1. ^(link)awarded annually by theSociety for the Study of Evolutionto recognize individuals whose sustained and exemplary efforts have advanced public understanding of evolutionary science and its importance in biology, education, and everyday life in the spirit ofStephen Jay Gould,retrieved 23 December 2019
  2. ^"Friend of Darwin and Friend of the Planet awards for 2021 | National Center for Science Education".
  3. ^Duke Today,"Mohamed Noor Appointed Executive Vice Provost",retrieved 10 October 2024
  4. ^Duke Today,"Duke Honors Distinguished Professors",retrieved 21 July 2018
  5. ^Duke Today,"Mohamed Noor named Trinity College dean of natural sciences",retrieved 21 August 2022
  6. ^Duke Today,"Mohamed Noor named Interim Dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences",retrieved 21 August 2022
  7. ^Duke Today,"Noor and Oates to Serve in Interim Vice Provost Roles",retrieved 1 February 2023
  8. ^Scudellari, Megan,"Burgers and Flies",The Scientist,1 May 2012, retrieved 21 July 2018
  9. ^Bates, Karl,"Descended from Darwin",Duke Magazine,1 April 2009, retrieved 23 December 2019
  10. ^Duke Today,"Duke Biologist Wins Darwin-Wallace Medal",retrieved 21 July 2018
  11. ^Branch, Glenn."Friend of Darwin and Friend of the Planet awards for 2021".National Center for Science Education.Archived fromthe originalon 28 July 2021.Retrieved28 July2021.
  12. ^Duke University Graduate School,"2010 Dean's Award: Mohamed Noor"Archived2015-07-13 at theWayback Machine,retrieved 21 July 2018
  13. ^Duke Today,"Mohamed Noor: 'What Matters To Me and Why'",retrieved 21 July 2018
  14. ^Noor, M. A. F. 2018. Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek Can Teach Us about Evolution, Genetics, and Life on Other Worlds. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.ISBN978-0691177410,208 pages.
  15. ^StarTrek.COM,"Meet the College Professor Teaching 'Trek' to Millennials",retrieved 23 December 2019
  16. ^IMDb listing,[1],retrieved 17 October 2020
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